A Writing Root for Lights on Cotton Rock

Outcomes:

Labelling, making lists, descriptions, diary entry, giving advice, letters, welcome home banner

Main Outcome:

Narrative (extended story) 

Length:

15 sessions, 3 weeks

Overview and Outcomes:

This Catch-Up Writing Root begins with children discovering a mysterious rucksack in the classroom filled with clues about the story and the main character. Children will label the items and make lists of the objects that Heather has taken with her into the woods, then go on to create their own spaceships using various materials and writing descriptions of their creations. They will write diary entries in role as Heather and in role as the friendly alien she meets as well as writing a Welcome Home Banner in role as Heather’s family for when she returns from space. Children will examine the circular shape of this story and go on to create their own extended narrative following this pattern. 

Synopsis of Text:

Heather is a little girl who wants to go to Outer Space, where the stars sparkle with magic and wonder. When a spaceship lands at Cotton Rock, it seems that all of her dreams have come true. But soon the alien has to leave. Will the spaceship ever come back? And if it does, is Heather ready to leave everything on Earth behind? This beautiful story for ages 4–7 about family and dreams travels through space and time to show us that what we are looking for might be closer than we think.

Links:

Space, dreams, magic